Battle of Vierville

The Battle of Vierville occurred on 7 June 1944 during Operation Overlord in World War II. Vierville-sur-Mer was a major German stronghold in Normandy, as it lay just beyond Omaha Beach, and was therefore in the path of the advancing American forces. On 7 June 1944, the US 4th Infantry Division and the US 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment cooperated together in a push on Vierville, with the American soldiers having armored support as they assaulted the German stronghold. Using heavy fire support from the M5 Stuart tanks, the Americans managed to clear the town of Vierville of German forces, with the infantry advancing ahead to eliminate anti-tank gun positions before advancing with the tank. The German 100th Panzer Battalion attempted to launch a counterattack to recapture Vierville, but the Americans succeeded in repulsing the attack and securing Vierville. Vierville's capture enabled the Americans from Omaha Beach to continue their advance, and the American paratroops and armor continued to advance towards Saint-Come-du-Mont.